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[ of 468 ®%e QLeatiev. Saturday,
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THE PEOPLE'S COLLEGE, SHEFFIELD. In exte...
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THE CONFLICT. The progress of events is ...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Wild Man Of The Peerage. We All Know...
less for the audacious hero than for the anonymous monster whom he has called into being ; we have somethingthe samefeeling towardstheDrengus , now that we know his condition . If his conduct seems strange , we reflect that he was born so . It is onlysurprising how long he imitated the manners of human beings , and not at all wonderful that at last the irrepressible nature of the Drengus bursts forth . We grudge him no solace that can soothe his unhappy condition . Only it may be a question—and we moot it in sorrow rather than in
anger — whether it might not be expedient , in future , to guard against the admission of any more Drengi into Parliament . To judge by the one , we should say that a number would prove perfectly unmanageable . But no doubt , as the hills of Westmoreland become better explored , the habitat and habits of this singular tribe will , be better described ; and in spite of what we have said above , we would not absolutely reject the hope of reclaiming the Drengi . It has been said that abori-Kines are never reclaimed ; but we think of the
New Zealanders ; and if they could boast a Maori Davis who presided and spoke at a public dinner , these very Drengi can vaunt a Henry Brougham ; though the wildness , indeed , appears to be less extinguishable in the Drengus than in the Maori . Still we would try ; and the first thing is to find occupation for so active a mind , at once useful to the public and improving to himself . For example , he might be turned loose into the library of the British Museum , and probably he would spin a catalogue .
[ Of 468 ®%E Qleatiev. Saturday,
468 ® % e QLeatiev . [ Saturday ,
The People's College, Sheffield. In Exte...
THE PEOPLE'S COLLEGE , SHEFFIELD . In external aspect the People ' s College of Sheffield is much plainer and of less pretension than its sister institution at Nottingham . It has no architectural beauties to recommend" it , no vicinage of lofty ecclesiastical structures to impart an air of collegiate dignity and studious quiet . Situated in
a crowded and unattractive thoroughfare , undistinguished from the neighbouring buildings , and with lecture and class rooms of no great convenience and no ornamental character whatever , a superficial observer would consider it insignificant when compared with the stately and spacious edifice which the generosity of the rich has raised and embellished for the moral and intellectual
advancement of the working classes . But a nearer examination of the institution , its origin , its conduct , its scope , and means of support , would induce a far higher and more favourable estimate , and give it , if we are not mistaken , a higher rank than that of the Nottingham College , in spite of all its external disadvantages . The Sheffield institution was the first experiment of the kind ; it has been self-supporting , and the services of its teachers are , for the most
part , gratuitous ; it is self- governed , and , valuable as is the expression of sympathy and the proffer of assistance made by the wealthier classes in the one case , still more valuable is the proof of the power of the industrious classes to no without that assistance which is given in the other . It is eight years since an Independent minister resident in Sheffield , the Reverend R . S . Bayley , " wishing , " as the last Report of the College expresses it , " to improve the condition of the labouring classes , resolved to establish an
institution , the object of which was to give the working classes an education much more advanced than that which they generally receive . To this object Mr . Bayley devoted six years of untiring energy , working frequently fifteen to sixteen hours a-day in its furtherance , and being rewarded for his pains by the devotion of the ardent and enthusiastic youth of Sheffield ; crowds of whom , attracted by his genius and in the full appreciation of the benefits of his system , flocked around him for its realization , and made countless personal sacrifices of time , and means , and labour for the sake of it . " Mr . Bayley left Sheffield in September , 1848 ,
having accepted the charge of a congregation in London , ana the members of his college were thus deprived of his assistance and counsel , and left unprovided with governance or direction . An effort was made by some of the religious body , to which Mr . Bayley belonged , to attach the College to their particular denomination ; but the majority of tlie _ 8 tudents appear to have felt that the essential fj ^ 5 5 m *^»* iic . ces 8 for an undertaking of the kind f fnjAt ; a > e ~ it 8 freedom from sectarian bias or partiality , f ^^ V ^ ?^ % i » tPv \ r ely 8 ecular character . Their brocweflnge . * ti tfhft juncture may be best stated in the WbroM pi flte-fteport : — n" ) 0 SL ? fe # P ^ e ^ leaving thq town , a few of the stu-• .. ?¦ / W
dents being unwilling that an institution calculated to be of so much beneficial influence should be given up , resolved , if possible , to carry it on themselves . It was an undertaking , the responsibility of which they would gladly not have accepted , but -various circumstances caused them to decide that , at least , they ought to endeavour to prolong the existence of the College , whatever might be their own sacrifices of time and convenience . They thought , at least , an experiment should be made , to decide , whether the young men and women of Sheffield , who had need of such an institution , would avail themselves of it . Whether that experiment has so far succeeded will be gathered from what follows .
" After mature deliberation it was found necessary that , as far as possible , to ensure the success of this undertaking , it would be necessary to remodel its entire constitution . Hitherto it had been under the entire control and management of Mr . Bayley ; but as it was not very probable that another individual could be found uniting in himself all the qualifications necessary to succeed Mt . Bayley , as principal , it was thought advisable to elect a committee of management from the remaining students , who would have the same power and control as f i
the late principal A public meeting was held , owhch this day is the anniversary , when a document wa- ^ read containing the plans of the newly appointed committee , and on the following evening the People ' s College was open for the admission of students . Since that time up to the 30 th of last month , it has been open 47 weeks , during which period 530 young men and women have been registered as students , and have been more or less benefitted by ' heir attendance at the classes ; of this number 426 are males , and 104 females . During the whole of this time there has been an average weekly attendance of 135 .
" Forty classes have been in weekly operation for instruction in the following subjects , viz .: —Nine for reading , three writing , three arithmetic , seven grammar , three composition , two elocution , three Latin , two French , one bookkeeping , one geography , one shorthand , one singing , one logic , one drawing , one German , and one mathematical class . " These classes have been chiefly conducted by members of the Institution , selected by the committee from themselves and the body of students . They have had some gratuitous help from persons not connected otherwise with the Institution , which will be referred to here after . There is now a staff of thirty-two monitors , and the committee use their discretion in appointing to the monitorial services those students who , by their attainment , punctuality , and good conduct , are best qualified for the responsible office of teaching .
** The reading , writing , arithmetic , and grammar classes have been numerously attended by those whose education has been neglected in their younger years ; and the monitors of these classes report favourably of the success which has attended their labours . " The weekly meetings of the senior composition class have been tvell attended . In this class essays , the production of the members r . f the class , are read and criticised by the other members . 41
The senior elocution class has been numerously attended . At each meeting recitations are given by several members , which receive the criticism of the others . Tin ' s class , whilst conducted upon its present plan , cannot fail to be popular , as it conveys much amusement as well as instruction , and provides an agreeable relaxation from studies more abstruse . 11 In the junior elocution and composition classes the rudimental principles of the respective sciences are explained . In order to render more efficient the teaching of elocution , a text-book has been compiled and published . It contains all that is necessary for obtaining a sound knowledge of the art , and also a number of pieces suitable for recitation . "
From the other classes much advantage has been derived ; and , especially , from an occasional " Conversation Class , " the object of which is to improve those who attend it in the arts of public debate . Lectures on scientific and general topics are delivered monthly by persons who are content , from their love of progress and their conviction of free and liberal education being indispensable to it , to
give their services gratuitously to the College . These lectures have been exceedingly well attended , and have been productive of much benefit to the institution . The present position of the College is much the same as when the last Report was published ; a day school has beep added and is now in full operation . The enterprise may , in truth , be said to justify the modest yet trustful expressions with which the committee terminate their appeal : —
11 The committee confidently state that those principles with which they set out have fully answered their expectations . Self-support , self-government , freedom from sectarian religion , and party politics , arc principles in the truth of which the committee have full confidence , and believe that in them will be found the true elements necessary for the success of all popular educational institutions . " But whilst the committee congratulate their friends
upon the favourable condition and present success of the institution , they arc fully aware that circumstances may arise entirely beyond their control , which may alter the present favourable aspect . Still they have confidence in the work on which they arc engaged . Daily do they sec more and more its necessity , and daily are they induced more and more to continue their exertions . They trust that whilst they are gaining in experience , they do not lose their enthusiasm ; and if they can only continue to obtain the support of the young men and women of Sheffield , no personal sacrifice on their pttrt will be
considered too great for the purpose of increasing and perpetuating the efficiency of the People ' s College . ' In conclusion , they call upon the young men and . women of Sheffield to support this , their own institution —to show by that support that they are anxious to procure their own intellectual advancement , and then the prosperity of the People ' s College will be ensured ; and it will perform a work , the beneficial influence of which , will be long felt and acknowledged . "
We hope , and we are sure , that all true friends of the people will join us in the hope that they will not , either in the town of Sheffield or elsewhere , be backward in the support of institutions like this By such alone can their emancipation be worked out ; for from enlightenment must proceed a knowledge not only of their wrongs , but of their remedies ; and wliat power can withhold those remedies from the demand of an enlightened and ,
consequently , determined people . The subject of education , in connection with these detached efforts , as well as with the more combined movements in Lancashire and Yorkshire , must be kept before the public till the movement is made , as our friends in Manchester wish it to be , a truly national one ; and , in that case , the men even of this generation may see the day when no town or district of importance shall be without its People ' s College ,
The Conflict. The Progress Of Events Is ...
THE CONFLICT . The progress of events is mercilessly breaking down the pretences of the day ; insomuch that the superficial and effeminate style of politics which is now in fashion must prepare its little soul to meet sterner and stronger days . The half " Liberals , " who shudder at direct allusions to the working classes , and tremble if you declare openly , in plain words , that the People is not represented , and being not represented is overworked , is oppressed , is wastefully and wantonly taxed , must learn to hear
the truth without the indignation of timidity made to confront necessity . Those who arrogate the right to govern prove incapable , and the efforts to veil their incapacity are failing . The suspension of popular agitation is having its natural effect in accumulating popular impulse ; the instruments of popular power are only beginnin g to grope their way , but they seem to have an instinctive foreknowledge of the power which is coming upon them . The official class palter on , scarcely conscious of that crisis to which their steady decline is
leading . The report of the Select Committee of the Commons on official salaries is a shadow of the coming event . Men in Parliament have been under a spell , forcing them to go again and again at the question of public expenditure ; more or less reluctantly , even officials are obliged to dabble ; they assent to the committee , and in the committee , while their opposition to reductions attests their lingering desire , their occasional assent and their frequent defeats attest the force of the screw upon
them . On motion after motion by Mr . Bright , in the direction of lower salaries , Ministers appeared , helpless , in a small minority . As yet the contest is taking place only on the trifles , the outposts of the financial question . But when the time of difficulty comes , some hard year , the battle will be transferred from paltry clippings of official salaries to the whole compass of taxation , the yearly and hopeless payment to the National Debt , ana that system which obliges us to permit in the first offices of state men who are there , not because
they are able , but because they are connected with great families . The protocols on the Schleswig Holstein affair expose the officials at work in the same antipopular sense . The case is briefly this . The King of Denmark , having succeeded to the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein b y successions different from that of his throne , suddenly revokes the understanding established by hi 3 predecessor , that the two Duchies should be united , and declares that the succession shall follow that of the
Crown . The People protest ; German Holstein obtains sympathy and succours from Germany ; and the revolution of Europe favours the antiroyal movement . After a time the royal classes , recollecting their corporate interests , conspire to put down the revolution ; and , when that has subsided , Russia and some other states join to enforce the King of Denmark ' s absolute will . In the protocol not the slightest allusion is made to the People of the Duchies—not a word . It is a deliberate conspiracy of officials to overrule national feeling , and force a royal edict on a foreign People . And among those officials is the Minister of England . ' Yes , the colleague of Lord John Russell is one of the accomplices in that conspiracy . Is it
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 10, 1850, page 12, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_10081850/page/12/
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